Moravcova Takes Her 100th World Cup Title to Highlight Day 2 Action in Moscow

By Mike Unger

MOSCOW, January 27. MARTINA Moravcova of Slovakia won her 99th and 100th career World Cup races to highlight the final night of swimming at the FINA World Cup in Moscow. Moravcova came from behind in the final 25 meters of both the 100m individual medley (1:00.87) and the 50m butterfly to take gold (26.77).

Moravcova earned her first World Cup race victory nearly 12 years ago at age 17 in Milan, Italy. She had four years studying and swimming at Southern Methodist University in the U.S., during which she did not swim on the World Cup circuit. But since 2000, she has been the most successful swimmer on the World Cup circuit, winning 93 gold medals, highlighted by 27 wins in 2001 and 24 in 2002. She has 15 thus far in the 2004-05 series.

“I was definitely thinking about it tonight, just trying to get myself in position to win,” Moravcova said. “The World Cup has been great for me over the years. It’s helped me in my racing and also provided me great motivation in my training.

“Those two races tonight were difficult since there was little time between them,” she continued. “But I figured I could sleep on the plane tomorrow.”

In other action, Ryk Neethling of South Africa continued his winning ways, nabbing the 200m individual medley from lane 8 in 1:57.22. Neethling made a late rush over the final 50 meters to take his third title of the meet. His 100m individual medley world record highlighted the first night of swimming in Moscow.

Yuri Prilukov of Russia won his second race of the meet, taking the 1500m freestyle in 14:37.99 ahead of up-and-coming Tae Hwan Park of Korea (14:43.13). Prilukov has now won the 400m and 1500m freestyle in all six World Cup meets this season.

Ukraine's Oleg Lisogor, who won the 50 breast yesterday in a dazzling 26.77, sped to another gold tonight, taking the 100 breast in 58.39. The USA's Ed Moses, the world record-holder, continued to struggle, finishing fourth (59.63).

American swimmers scored three gold medals this evening: Randall Bal cruised the 50 back in 24.12, six-tenths ahead of his nearest challenger; Rachel Komisarz was unpressed in the 400 free, clocking 4:05.35 to carve out a two-second victory in the 400 free; while Jason Lezak nipped South Africa's Roland Schoeman, 21.69 to 21.77, to take the 50 free.

Russia captured the top position in the medal standings with 11 gold and 28 overall. Japan was second with five gold and 19 total, while the USA was third with four gold and 11 total.

The FINA World Cup series continues on February 11-12 in New York, and then concludes in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, February 18-20.